Log Cabin Village is a living history museum in Fort Worth, TX, devoted to the preservation of Texas heritage. Each of the 1800s structures, furnished with authentic artifacts, provides a vivid look at life in the nineteenth century frontier. The exhibits include a water-powered gristmill, a one-room schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, an herb garden, and several log home settings. Historical interpreters depict the lifestyle of Texans in the mid to late 1800s.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Thank you, Mr. Goodnight...

If you've been involved with the Village for any length of time, you'll know what a talented woodworker our own Steven Suarez is. And so when we commissioned a chuck box to augment our firepit cooking demonstration, Steven was more than happy to draw up plans, prepare the lumber, and create a masterpiece that is as beautiful as it is functional.

So what's a chuck box, you ask? The chuck box was originally crafted by Charles Goodnight as part of a chuckwagon in 1866. Mr. Goodnight was looking for a handy way to feed cowboys on the months-long cattle drives from Texas to trail heads in northern and western markets. He fashioned a box that would fit into the back of a covered wagon. This box would contain spices, seasonings, utensils, and dry goods that "cookie" might need to prepare meals for starving cowhands. When the front cover dropped down, it would also provide a handy surface for chopping, mixing, and whatever else cooking prep entailed.

Although we do not have a wagon, we do have a wonderful free-standing chuck box that helps us tell the story of a bygone era. And our firepit chefs approve!

2 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Wonderful construction and so well designed - wouldn't mind making one of these as a tool cabinet/ work desk. It perfectly illustrates creative ingenuity inspired from necessity. Congratulations to your cabinet maker.